OFFICIAL 


« >7 


MEMORANDA  OF  DECISIONS 


ON 


♦ 


POINTS  OF  TACTICS. 


Published  by  Order  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 


[  Republished  by  permission  of  the  Adjutant-General 

of  the  Army.] 


WASHINGTON. 

ARMY  AND  NAYY  REGISTER  PUBLISHING  CO. 
1886. 


Copyright, 

1886, 

By  the  Army  and  Navy  Register  Publishing  Co. 


HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 

Adjutant  General’s  Office, 
Washington ,  November  9,  1885. 

Circular : 

By  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  following 
<£  Memoranda  of  Decisions  on  Points  of  Tactics”  are 
published  for  the  information  and  guidance  of  the  Army. 

By  command  of  Lieut. -Gen.  Sheridan: 

R.  C.  DRUM, 

Adjutant -  General. 


MEMORANDA  OF  DECISIONS 


ON 

'POINTS  OF  TACTICS. 


SCHOOL  OF  THE  SOLDIER. 

Length  and  cadence  of  step ,  etc. 

“  The  following  modifications  of  the  Tactics  are  pub¬ 
lished  for  the  information  and  government  of  all  con¬ 
cerned  : 

“  I.  The  length  of  the  direct  step  in  common  and  quick 
time  will  be  thirty  inches,  measured  from  heel  to  heel ; 
the  cadence  will  be  at  the  rate  of  ninety  steps  per  minute 
for  common  time  and  one  hundred  and  twenty  steps  per 
minute  for  quick  time.  A  natural,  swinging  motion  of 
the  arms  will  be  permitted  when  marching. 

“II.  The  length  of  the  short  step  and  back  step  in 
common  and  in  quick  time  will  be  fifteen  inches. 

“  III.  The  length  of  the  double  step  will  be  thirty- five 
inches,  and  the  cadence  will  be  at  the  rate  of  one  hun¬ 
dred  and  eighty  steps  per  minute. 


6 


“  IV.  When  the  manual  of  arms  is  executed  while 
marching  each  motion  of  the  manual  will  correspond 
with  the  cadence  of  the  step. 

‘  ‘  V.  Paragraphs  of  the  Tactics  affected  by  this  order 
are  modified  accordingly.”  [G.  O.  No.  54,  H.  Q.  A., 
June  2o,  1884.] 

“The  following  modifications  of  the  Tactics,  to  con¬ 
form  to  the  changes  in  the  length  and  cadence  of  the  step 
announced  in  General  Orders  No.  54,  current  series,  from 
this  office,  are  published  for  the  information  and  govern¬ 
ment  of  all  concerned  : 

‘  ‘  The  length  of  the  balance  step  will  be  fifteen  inches. 

“  The  length  of  the  step  of  the  pivot  man  on  a  mova¬ 
ble  pivot  at  common  or  quick  time  will  be  ten  inches;  if 
in  close  column  it  will  be  fifteen  inches.  At  double  time 
the  length  of  the  step  on  the  pivot  will  be  twelve  inches ; 
if  in  close  column  it  will  be  eighteen  inches.” 

“Paragraphs  of  the  Tactics  affected  by  this  order  are 
modified  accordingly.”  [G.  O.  94,  H.  Q.  A.,  August 
13,  1884.] 

The  halt ,  mark  time ,  a?id  short  step  executed from  double 

time . 

Although  tactics  are  silent  on  this  point,  “the  direc¬ 
tions  in  paragraph  26,  Infantry  (27  Cav.)  Tactics,  apply¬ 
ing  to  the  halt  when  marching  in  quick  time,  should  be 
conformed  to  as  nearly  as  practicable  in  the  halt  from  the 
march  in  double  time.”  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  Oct.  21,  1882.] 

“The  squad  can  be  halted  from  double  time  without 
first  coming  to  a  quick  time. 


7 


“  A  squad  can  mark  time  marching  at  double  time,  and 
at  a  short  step  (see  par.  5). 

‘  ‘  In  the  latter  case  the  full  step  would  be  resumed  at 
the  command  1.  Forward ,  2.  March. 

‘  ‘  The  short  step  can  be  used  in  double  time  (see  par. 
5).”  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  Dec.  1,  1883.] 


The  touch  of  elbow  in  the  wheel. 

“  The  touch  of  elbow  in  wheeling  is  toward  the  pivot, 
whether  movable  or  fixed.”  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  June  5, 
1882.] 


SABER  EXERCISE,  ETC.  ' 

Upon  the  question  as  to  the  proper  method  of  execut¬ 
ing  the  second  motion  of  Left  Point,  Right  Point,  and 
Rear  Point,  Inspector-General  Sacket  writes  as  follows : 
“ 1  *  *  *  take  it  for  granted  that  the  manual  of  the 

saber  in  his  (Upton’s)  tactics  was  taken  from  the  Cavalry- 
Tactics  of  1841.  In  the  latter,  on  page  97,  it  is  found 
that  in  the  first  motion  of  Left  Point,  Right  Point,  and 
Rear  Point,  the  edge  of  the  blade  should  be  upward. 
This  is  as  it  should  be,  as  all  points  with  the  saber  are 
made  with  a  twist.  In  the  first  motion  the  edge  of  the 
saber  is  upward,  and  at  the  end  of  the  second  motion 
the  edge  is  to  the  front  or  right  front. 

“  Plates  Nos.  29,  30,  and  31,  in  the  Cavalry  Tactics  of 
1841,  show  that  these  points  are  made  with  the  edge  of 
the  saber  upward.”  [Indorsement  of  Inspector-General 
Sacket,  July  3,  1883.] 

In  paragraph  102,  Cavalry  Tactics,  the  words  “  thrust 


8 


to  the  rear”  are  to  be  construed  as  meaning  a  thrust 
directly  to  the  rear. 

The  second  motion  of  i.  Against  Infantry ,  2.  Right, 
3.  Parry  (par.  121,  Cavalry  Tactics),  is  completed  by 
extending  the  arm  to  the  front,  the  hand  the  height  of 
the  head,  but  at  full  arm's  length  from  it,  the  point  of 
the  saber  to  the  front  and  upward.  [Circular  No.  2,  U. 
S.  Infantry  and  Cavalry  School,  1884.] 

To  draw  saber  or  pistol,  the  trooper  being  armed  with 

both. 

Commanding  officers  of  artillery  and  cavalry  compa¬ 
nies  will,  upon  drills,  when  the  men  are  armed  with  both 
the  saber  and  pistol,  precede  the  command  1.  Draw,  2 
Saber,  or  1.  Draw,  2.  Pistol,  by  the  cautionary  com¬ 
mand  saber  or  pistol  according  as  they  desire  the  one  or 
the  other  to  be  drawn.  [Orders  No.  199,  U.  S.  Infantry 
and  Cavalry  School,  1881.] 

How  to  hook  up  the  sword. 

In  reply  to  the  question  as  to  how  the  sword  should  be 
carried,  and  on  what  ring,  General  Upton  says:  “  Para¬ 
graph  763,  Infantry  Tactics,  prescribing  that  when  the 
sword  is  hooked  up  the  guard  shall  be  to  the  rear,  was 
written  when  the  scabbard  was  provided  with  but  two 
rings,  which  necessarily  brought  the  guard  to  the  rear. 
When  the  scabbard  has  three  rings,  and  the  sword  is 
hooked  up  by  the  front  or  extra  ring,  the  guard  naturally 
comes  to  the  front  and  should  be  so  worn. 

“  On  drill,  officers  ‘  order  arms,’  and  ‘ carry  arms’  from 
an  ‘  order ;  ’  and  also  hold  their  swords  as  prescribed  for 


9 


the  double  time.  They  execute  the  other  movements  of 
the  manual  only  when  specially  directed.  [Letter  of 
Lieut. -General  to  Lieut  J.  T.  Thompson,  Dec.  i,  1883.] 

Parade  rest  without  arms  for  officers . 

The  position  of  officers  at  parade  rest  without  arms ,  or 
when  the  sword  is  in  the  scabbard,  is  the  same  as  that 
described  in  paragraph  21,  Infantry,  and  22,  Cavalry 
Tactics — school  of  the  soldier.  Parade  rest  with  arms 
folded  is  specially  prescribed  for  a  commanding  officer  at 
dress  parade,  and  for  officers  of  the  day  at  guard  mount¬ 
ing.  [General  Upton.  See  Army  and  Navy  Journal , 
October  13,  1877.] 

MANUAL  OF  ARMS,  ETC. 

It  would  be  irregular  and  unauthorized  to  divide  any 
part  of  the  Manual  of  Arms  into  more  motions  than  are 
laid  down  in  the  Tactics.  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  April  9, 
1884.] 

The  Tactics  do  not  provide  for  coming  to  “  order 
arms  ”  by  the  numbers  from  fix  or  unfix  bayonets ;  such 
division  of  the  motion  is  unauthorized.  The  Tactics  in 
this  case  provide  for  all  that  is  necessary.  [Letter  A.  G. 
O.,  iMay  25,  1 883.] 

Charge  bayonets. 

“  In  paragraph  81,  Infantry  Tactics,  the  words  ‘  at  the 
same  time  ’  are  understood,  and  the  movement  of  charging 
bayonet  is  performed  accordingly.  The  Tactics  do  not 
provide  for  dividing  the  movement  into  distinct  motions, 
and  it  would,  therefore,  be  irregular  to  introduce  the  pro¬ 
posed  innovation.”  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  Dec.  13,  1881.] 


10 


Secure  arms. 

In  executing  secure  arms  the  toe  of  the  piece  in  the 
first  part  of  the  first  motion  should  turn  toward  the  body, 
i.  e.,  the  left.  [Circular  No.  2,  U.  S.  Infantry  and 
Cavalry  School,  1884.] 

Safety-notch  on  Springfield  rifle  and  carbine. 

The  safety-notch  of  the  Springfield  rifle  and  carbine 
now  issued  to  troops  having  been  introduced  since  the 
adoption  of  the  present  system  of  infantry  tactics,  all 
paragraphs  of  Upton’s  Infantry  Tactics  and  the  Cavalry 
Tactics  affected  thereby  are  modified  to  conform  to  the 
general  rule,  laid  down  in  General  Orders  No.  49,  of  1881, 
from  this  office,  that  the  piece  is  habitually  carried  at  the 
safety-notch. 

If  firing  kneeling,  the  command  1.  Cease ,  2.  Firing, 
should  precede  the  command  1.  Squad ,  2.  Rise.  The 
pieces  are  then  brought  to  the  safety-notch,  following  the 
general  rule  laid  down  in  paragraph  106,  Infantry,  and 
165,  Cavalry  Tactics,  after  which  the  squad  rises  and 
comes  to  a  carry.  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  April  4,  1883.] 

G.  O.  Nos.  19  and  66,  A.  G.  O.,  of  1884,  modify 
paragraph  92,  Infantry  Tactics,  the  modification  consist¬ 
ing  simply  in  substituting  for  the  words  “  the  right  hand 
at  the  small  of  the  stock”  (end  of  first  motion),  the  words 
“half-cock  the  piece,  then  carry  the  right  hand  to  the 
small  of  the  stock.” 

1.  Carry ,  2.  Arms.  At  the  command  carry ,  bring 
the  hammer  to  the  safety-notch,  and  at  the  command 
arms ,  resume  the  carry  with  the  right  hand,  at  the  same 


11 


time  face  to  the  front.  (Two.)  Drop  the  left  hand  by 
the  side.” 

Oblique  fir  mgs. 

The  following  are  the  proper  commands  for  the  oblique 
firings  (par.  107,  Infantry,  and  166,  Cavalry  Tactics): 

The  pieces  being  loaded  and  the  company  at  carry 
arms,  the  captain  commands :  1 .  Fire  by  company,  2 

Company ,  3.  Ready,  4.  Right  (or  Left)  Oblique,  5. 
Aim,  6.  Fire,  7.  Load.  To  continue  the  fire,  the  cap¬ 
tain  will  command  :  1.  Company ,  2.  Right  (or  Left) 

Oblique,  3.  Aim,  4.  Fire,  5.  Load.  [Decision  of  the 
Commanding  Officer  U.  S.  Infantry  and  Cavalry  School, 
Sept.  22,  1882.] 

On  account  of  the  shortness  of  the  arm  and  consequent 
danger  to  the  front-rank  men,  the  oblique  firings  will 
not  be  practiced  in  the  double  rank  formation  by  troops 
armed  with  the  Springfield  carbine. 

Rear  rank  recovering  arms  from  the  aim  to  left  oblique . 

In  firing  left  oblique,  the  rear  rank  men  bring  back  the 
left  foot  at  the  command  arms ,  and  not  at  the  command 
recover.  [Decision  Lieut. -Gen.,  letter  April  25,  1885 — ■ 
1899,  A.  G.  O.,  1885.] 

Execution  of  the  firings  by  the  numbers. 

“  In  drilling  by  the  numbers  it  is  correct  to  execute  the 
firings  and  the  load  immediately  after  by  the  numbers.” 
[Letter  A.  G.  O.,  Oct.  5,  1882.] 

At  the  command  ready  what  remains  unexecuted  of  the 
first  motion  of  paragraph  94  is  executed,  viz:  placing  the 


12 


right  thumb  on  the  head  of  the  hammer,  the  fingers  sup¬ 
ported  against  the  guard  and  small  of  the  stock,  (Two  ) 
Cock  the  piece  and  then  grasp  it  at  the  small  of  the  stock. 

Firing  kneeling  or  lying  down. 

Officers  should  kneel  or  lie  down  unless  otherwise 
ordered  by  the  instructor.  If  the  captain  be  the  in¬ 
structor,  he  would  be  at  liberty  to  exercise  his  own  dis¬ 
cretion  in  the  matter.  [See  paragraph  176,  and  also 
paragraph  324,  Infantry  Tactics;  letter  A.  G.  O.,  Dec. 

1,  1883.] 

Inspection  of  Arms. 

I.  The  safety-notch  of  the  rifle  musket  now  issued  to 
troops  having  been  introduced  since  the  adoption  of  the 
present  system  of  Infantry  Tactics  (Upton’s),  so  much  of 
paragraph  72  as  prescribes  that  the  “piece  is  habitually 
carried  at  half-cock,”  is  modified  to  read:  The  piece  is 
habitually  carried  at  the  safety-notch. 

II.  Paragraph  113  is  therefore  modified  to  read: 

The  recruit  being  at  order  arms,  bayonet  fixed,  to  cause 

.an  inspection  of  arms,  the  instructor  commands : 

1.  Inspection ,  2.  Arms.  , 

Commencing  on  the  right,  the  instructor  inspects  the 
pieces  in  succession.  Each  recruit,  as  the  instructor  ap¬ 
proaches  him,  tosses  his  piece  quickly  with  the  right  hand 
•opposite  the  left  eye,  catching  it  with  the  left  hand  be¬ 
tween  the  rear  sight  and  the  lower  band,  the  thumb  ex¬ 
tended  along  the  stock,  the  barrel  to  the  right,  and 
inclined  slightly  to  the  front,  the  hand  at  the  height  of 
Ihe  chin ;  he  then  passes  his  right  hand  quickly  to  the 


lock,  placing  the  thumb  on  the  head  of  the  hammer,  the 
elbow  raised  as  high  as  the  hand,  the  fingers,  closed 
together,  extending  in  front  of  the  lock.  (Two.)  The 
recruit  presses  the  thumb  on  the  hammer,  lowering  the 
elbow  at  the  same  time,  and  brings  the  hammer  to  the 
/  half-cock ;  then  drops  the  right  hand  by  the  side ;  the 
instructor  takes  the  piece  with  his  right  hand  at  the  small 
of  the  stock  (the  recruit  dropping  his  left  hand  by  the 
side),  inspects  and  hands  it  back  to  the  recruit,  who 
receives  it  with  the  left  hand  in  the  position  prescribed 
in  the  first  motion,  passes  his  right  hand,  as  before,  to 
the  hammer,  and  the  forefinger  to  the  trigger,  which  he 
pulls,  at  the  same  time  pressing  the  hammer  downward 
to  free  it  from  the  half-cock  notch,  thus  bringing  the 
hammer  to  the  safety-notch,  care  being  taken  to  release 
all  pressure  on  the  trigger  after  the  hammer  passes  the 
half-cock  notch ;  the  piece  is  then  lowered  with  the  lei t 
hand,  seized  above  the  lower  band  with  the  right  and 
brought  to  the  position  of  order. 

As  the  instructor  returns  the  piece,  the  recruit  next  on 
the  left  throws  up  his  piece  to  the  position  of  inspection , 

^  and  so  on  throughout  the  squad. 

Should  the  piece  be  inspected  without  handling,  the 
recruit  brings  the  hammer  to  the  safety-notch,  and  pass¬ 
ing  the  right  hand  directly  to  the  piece  above  the  lower 
band,  resumes  the  order  as  the  inspector  passes  to  the 
next  man,  who  immediately  tosses  up  his  piece. 

The  McKeever  cartidge-box. 

The  McKeever  cartridge-box  being,  like  the  safety- 
notch,  an  invention  subsequent  to  the  publication  of  the 


14 


present  tactics,  so  much  of  paragraph  115,  Infantry,  and 
174,  Cavalry  Tactics,  as  requires  the  flap  to  be  held 
against  the  body  is  inapplicable,  and,  therefore,  to  be 
omitted.  For  infantry,  the  following  method,  proposed 
by  Captain  Morris,  Fifth  Artillery,  has  been  adopted  ; 

‘ 1  To  open  the  box  : — Steady  the  piece  with  the  left 
hand,  opening  the  box  with  the  right.  Drop  the  right 
hand  to  the  side  (without  regrasping  the  piece,  but  still 
steadying  it  with  the  left  hand.) 

‘  ‘  To  close  the  box :  Close  the  box  with  the  right 
hand.  Regrasp  the  piece  with  the  right  hand,  dropping 
the  left  hand  by  the  side.”  [Letters  A.  G.  O.,  Jan.  27, 
Nov.  22  and  Dec.  20,  1882.] 

The  position  of  the  box  is  behind  the  hip. 

Stacking  arms. 

The  following  manual  (prepared  by  Lieutenant  W.  C. 
Brown ,  1st  Cavalry,  and  recommended  by  a  board  of 
officers  at  the  Infantry  and  Cavalry  School  at  Fort  Leaven¬ 
worth)  is  approved,  and  will  be  used  for  all  arms  provided 
with  the  stacking  swivel : 

The  men  being  at  order  arms ,  bayonets  unfixed,  the 
instructor  commands : 

1.  Stack,  2.  Arms. 

At  the  command  stack ,  each  even  number  of  the  front 
rank  turns  his  piece,  barrel  to  the  front  (the  barrel  turn¬ 
ing  to  the  left,)  and  inclines  it  slightly  forward,  grasping 
it  with  the  left  hand  at  the  upper  band,  the  thumb  and 
fore-finger  raising  the  hook-swivel ;  each  even  number  of 
the  rear  rank  then  passess  his  piece  to  his  file  leader,  who 


15 


grasps  it  between  the  bands  with  his  right  hand  and  throws 
it,  barrel  to  the  rear,  two  feet  in  front  of  his  own  piece, 
the  right  hand  slipping  to  the  upper  hand,  the  thumb  and 
fore-finger  raising  the  hook-swivel,  which  he  engages  with 
that  of  his  own  piece,  and  inclines  both  to  the  right. 

-  Each  odd  number  of  the  front  rank  grasps  his  piece  with 
the  right  hand  between  the  bands,  the  left  hand  guiding 
the  hook-swivel,  which  he  holds  near  the  hook-swivels  of 
the  other  pieces. 

At  the  command  arms,  each  odd  number  of  the  front 
rank  engages  the  hook  of  his  piece  with  the  free  hook  of 
the  piece  of  the  even  number  of  the  rear  rank.  He  then 
turns  the  barrel  downward  and  to  the  right  between  the 
other  two — so  that  it  shall  rest  upon  their  intersection — 
and  rests  the  butt  about  fifteen  inches  in  front  of  his  right 
foot. 

The  stack  being  formed  and  aligned,  the  command 
lay  on  loose  pieces  is  given,  at  which  the  remaining  pieces 
in  the  rear  rank  are  passed  to  the  even  numbers  in  the 
front  rank,  who  lay  them  on  the  stacks.  The  pieces  of 
the  file-closers  are  laid  on  the  stack  at  the  same  time. 

To  resume  arms. 

The  instructor  commands  : 

i.  Squad ,  2.  Attention,  3.  Take,  4.  Arms. 

At  the  second  command  the  men  resume  their  places 
in  rear  of  the  stacks  and  come  to  attention.  At  the  com¬ 
mand  take ,  the  pieces  of  the  odd-numbered  men  of  the 
rear  rank  and  of  the  file-closers  are  passed  to  them  ;  each 
even  number  of  the  front  rank  then  grasps  his  own  piece 


16 


with  the  left  hand,  the  piece  of  his  rear-rank  man  with 
the  right  hand,  grasping  both  between  the  bands;  each 
odd  number  of  the  front  rank  grasps  his  own  piece  in  the 
same  way  with  the  right  hand.  At  the  command  arms , 
each  even  number  of  the  front  rank  turns  his  piece  to  the 
left,  disengages  it  from  the  piece  of  his  rear-rank  man, 
which  he  returns  to  him  ;  each  odd  number  of  the  front 
rank  at  the  same  time  disengages  his  own  piece  by  turn¬ 
ing  it  to  the  right ;  all  resuming  the  order  arms. 

If  in  single  rank,  number  two  of  each  four  makes  the 
stack,  using  the  piece  of  number  three  as  explained  for 
the  even-numbered  rear  rank  man  ;  number  one  using  his 
own  piece  as  explained  for  the  odd  numbered  front-rank 
man,  and  the  loose  pieces  are  passed  and  laid  on  as  be¬ 
fore.  In  breaking  the  stack  the  loose  pieces  are  passed 
as  before,  and  the  stack  is  broken  as  when  in  two  ranks,, 
number  two  taking  his  own  piece  in  his  right  hand  and 
that  of  number  three  in  his  left,  which  he  passes  to  him. 
on  breaking  the  stack.  Number  one  grasps  his  own  piece 
with  his  right  hand.  (G.  O.  2,  A.  G.  O.,  1883.)  If 
ranks  have  not  been  broken,  or  the  squad  not  brought  to 
a  “rest”  or  in  “place  rest”  after  the  formation  of  the 
stacks,  the  first  and  second  commands  will  be  omitted. 

G.  O.  No.  2,  A.  G.  O.,  1883,  is  not  intended  to  do 
away  with  stacking  arms  with  the  bayonet  fixed.  [Letter 
A.  G.  O.,  Oct.  10,  1883.] 

In  stacking  arms  “the  pieces  of  the  guides  are  laid  on 
the  stack  at  the  command  ‘lay  on  loose  pieces.’  The  ex¬ 
pression  ‘  file-closers  ’  as  used  in  paragraph  1 1 6  includes 
guides.”  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  Oct  5,  1882.] 


17 


If  the  commanding  officer  desires  the  bayonet  to  be 
used,  he  should  give  the  command  “  Stack  arms  ”  when 
the  bayonets  are  fixed ;  but  if  he  desires  to  use  the  stack¬ 
ing  swivel,  he  should  give  the  command  when  the  bayon¬ 
ets  are  unfixed.  The  stacking  swivel  should,  however, 
be  habitually  used.  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  August  2,  1884.] 

Resuming  carry  from  parade  rest  with  carbine. 

In  resuming  the  carry  from  parade  rest  with  the  car¬ 
bine,  the  left  hand  is  carried  to  the  height  of  the  shoul¬ 
der  before  being  dropped  by  the  side,  following  the  first 
general  rule  on  page  47,  Cavalry  Tactics.  [Decision  of 
the  Commanding  Officer  U.  S.  Infantry  and  Cavalry 
School.] 

To  execute  the  carry  upon  halting ,  etc. 

(Par.  1 19,  Infantry,  and  176,  Cavalry  Tactics.) 

The  men  should  halt  and  bring  their  pieces  to  a  carry 
immediately  after  the  foot  in  rear  is  brought  to  the  side 
of  the  foot  in  front.  If  a  squad  or  company  be  halted 
while  marching  at  an  oblique  the  men  halt,  come  to  a 
carry,  and  then  face  to  the  front.  [Letter  A.  G.  O., 
Nov.  30,  1883.] 


The  following  questions  bearing  upon  the  interpreta¬ 
tion  of  paragraph  119,  Infantry  Tactics,  were  decided  by 
the  General  of  the  Army  as  follows  : 

Questio?i. — When  part  of  a  command  is  required  to 
take  double  time ,  by  which  the  bringing  of  the  pieces  to 
right  shoulder  is  necessitated,  should  the  entire  organiza- 


18 


tion  bring  the  pieces  to  the  right  shoulder  ?  Also,  if  part 
of  an  organization  has  brought  pieces  to  right  shoulder 
in  order  to  execute  double  time ,  should  it  again  bring 
them  to  carry  arms  after  its  execution,  if  the  other  por¬ 
tion  has  them  in  that  position  ? 

Answer. — The  rule  upon  these  points  is,  First :  When 
a  maneuver  requires  the  several  subdivisions  of  a  com¬ 
mand  to  successively  take  double  time,  each  in  its  turn 
comes  to  right  shoulder  arms,  until  finally  the  entire 
command  is  at  right  shoulder,  and  conversely.  When 
the  entire  command  is  marching  at  double  time,  and  con¬ 
sequently  with  arms  at  right  shoulder,  and  a  maneuver 
requires  the  subdivisions  to  come  successively  to  a  halt, 
each  in  its  turn  comes  to  carry  arms.  Second :  When  a 
command  is  marching  at  carry  arms  and  a  subdivision  of 
it  is  required  to  take  double  time  for  a  specific  purpose 
and  for  a  limited  period,  this  portion  alone  comes  to  right 
shoulder  arms,  and  when  it  resumes  quick  time,  again 
comes  to  carry  arms. 

Question. — Are  pieces  brought  to  a  carry  when  halting, 
if  the  command  halt  is  not  given  ? 

Answer. — The  Tactics  (paragraph  119)  in  prescribing 
so  emphatically  that,  whenever  the  command  halt  is 
given,  the  men  bring  their  pieces  to  the  carry  upon  exe¬ 
cuting  the  command,  precludes  the  supposition  that  arms 
are  brought  to  a  carry  when  the  command  halt  is  not 
given.  [Letter  of  General  Sherman  to  C.  O.,  U.  S. 
Infantry  and  Cavalry  School,  March  26,  1883.  See  also 
decision  of  Gen.  Upton  in  Army  and  Navy  Journal ,  Oct. 
23>  1875.] 


19 


When  a  company  is  marching  in  line,  at  quick  time 
and  at  a  carry,  with  one  or  more  sets  of  fours  broken  to 
the  rear,  and  the  command  is  given,  “  Rear  fours,  right 
(or  left)  front  into  line,  double  time,  march,”  the  rear 
fours  only  come  to  a  right  shoulder ,  and  each  set  of  fours 
come  to  a  carry  as  soon  as  it  arrives  on  the  line. 

When  a  company  is  marching  in  column  of  fours  at 
quick  time,  arms  at  a  carry ,  and  the  command  is  given, 
“  Right  (or  left)  front  into  line,  double  time ,  march,  ’  ’  all 
the  company  come  to  right  shoulder,  but  the  leading  four 
do  not  raise  the  left  hand,  the  rear  fours  drop  the  left 
hand  as  soon  as  they  arrive  on  the  line  and  resume  the 
quick  time.  [Decision  of  Lieut. -General,  Dec.  12,1884.] 

The  following  decisions  relating  to  the  interpretation 
of  paragraph  119  were  made  by  General  Upton : 

Question. — Paragraph  1 19  (Infantry  Tactics).  WTien 
the  command  “  Halt  ”  is  given  pieces  are  brought  to  a 
carry.  I  understand,  therefore,  that  if  a  company  is  at  a 
right  shoulder  in  paragraph  233  (when  marching)  and 
paragraph  238,  as  no  command  11  Halt”  is  given,  the 
ranks  of  four,  coming  to  a  halt  should  not  carry  arms. . 
Am  I  right  ? 

Answer. — Yes. 

Paragraphs  245  to  249,  same  question,  companies: 
should  not  carry  until  company  commander  commands^ 
“  Fours  left  (or  right),  march”  “  Co?npany  halt.” 

Answer. — Right. 

Question. — Paragraphs  250  and  542.  Suppose  men  at 
a  carry  or  support,  and  the  command  is  given  “  Double¬ 
rank  distance,  doiible  time,”  should  not  the  leading  four 


20 


come  to  a  right  shoulder,  and  raise  the  left  forearm  to  a 
horizontal  position,  or  if  the  pieces  are  already  at  a  right 
shoulder,  should  the  left  forearm  be  raised  ? 

Answer. — Pieces  should  be  brought  to  a  right  shoulder, 
but  as  leading  rank  does  not  take  double  time  the  left 
hand  should  hot  be  raised.  Paragraph  119  does  not  re¬ 
quire  hand  to  be  raised  except  by  those  who  take  double 
time. 

To  draw  cartridge  {mounted). 

In  the  Manual  of  the  Carbine  mounted  (pars.  450-462, 
Cavalry  Tactics),  no  means  being  prescribed  for  remov¬ 
ing  the  cartridge,  the  following  manual  has  been  approved 
by  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  U.  S.  Infantry  and 
Cavalry  School  as  being  proper  and  in  accordance  with 
the  spirit  of  tactics  : 

“The  piece  being  at  advance  carbine  and  loaded,  to 
draw  the  cartridge  the  instructor  commands  :  1 .  Draw , 
2.  Cartridge.  At  which  the  piece  is  brought  to  the 
position  of  the  first  motion  of  load ;  the  chamber  is  then 
opened,  the  cartridge  withdrawn  and  returned  to  the  car¬ 
tridge-box,  after  which  the  chamber  is  closed  and  the 
piece  brought  to  the  position  of  advance  carbine.  ”  [Cir¬ 
cular  No.  2,  U.  S.  Infantry  and  Cavalry  School,  1884.] 

SCHOOL  OF  THE  PLATOON  (MOUNTED). 

On  the  right  or  left  into  line  at  a  trot  or  gallop. 

The  Commanding  Officer  U.  S.  Infantry  and  Cavalry 
School  has  expressed  opinion  upon  this  question  as  follows: 

Question. — Paragraph  510,  Cavalry  Tactics.  Can  the 
column  of  fours  be  formed  on  the  right  or  left  into  line 


21 


at  a  trot  or  gallop,  and,  if  so,  should  not  the  platoon  be 
always  halted  ? 

Answer. — Yes.  In  my  opinion  the  movement  is  in 
accord  with  the  spirit  of  the  Tactics,  and  paragraph  5 
confirms  that  opinion.  Platoon  should  be  halted.  [Cir¬ 
cular  2,  U.  S.  Infantry  and  Cavalry  School,  1884.] 

SCHOOL  OF  THE  COMPANY. 

Troop  or  company. 

“  The  legal  designation  (Sections  1102  and  1 103,  R.  S.) 
is  troop.”  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  Jan.  18,  1882.] 

The  designation  “troop,”  instead  of  “company,” 
should  be  used  by  cavalry  organizations.  [Letter  to 
Commanding  General,  Division  of  the  Pacific,  August 
7,  1883.] 

Upon  the  question  asking  whether  the  word  “  troop” 
should  be  substituted  for  “company”  whenever  the  lat¬ 
ter  occurs  in  the  Cavalry  Tactics,  the  General  of  the 
Army  says  the  change  should  not  be  made. 

The  provisions  of  paragraph  166  of  the  regulations  will 
be  regarded  as  applicable  to  the  Tactics.  [Letter  A.  G. 
O.,  May  15,  1882.] 

Troop ,  battery ,  or  company. 

At  battalion  or  company  drills,  or  dress  parades  with  a 
mixed  command,  or  when  either  cavalry,  artillery  or  in¬ 
fantry  are  drilling  as  infantry ,  the  word  “company” 
should  be  used;  if  as  artillery,  the  word  “battery.” 
[Letter  to  Commanding  General,  Department  of  Arizona, 
Sept.  14,  1883.] 


22 


First  sergeant — returning  to  post  after  formation  of  com¬ 
pany . 

Upon  the  question  as  to  whether,  after  the  first  sergeant 
has  formed  the  company,  called  the  roll,  and  saluted,  he 
should  return  to  his  post  or  wait  for  a  command  to  do  so, 
the  General  of  the  Army,  says : 

“  The  Tactics  do  not  provide  for  any  command  what¬ 
ever.  The  first  sergeant  therefore  takes  his  place  on  the 
right  of  the  company  without  any  command.  This  is  the 
universal  rule  as  practiced  in  the  regular  army.”  [A.  G. 
O.,  Feb.  8,  1882.] 

Position  of  first  sergeant  when  dismissing  company. 

It  is  more  convenient,  and  the  more  general  custom  in 
the  service,  for  the  first  sergeant  to  step  two  paces  to  the 
front  and  face  to  the  left  to  give  the  command  for  dis¬ 
missal.  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  October  18,  1884.] 

Arms  carried  by  a  first  sergeant  of  cavalry. 

The  first  sergeant  of  a  troop  of  cavalry  (armed  with  a 
carbine  and  serving  as  infantry)  should  carry  a  carbine. 
[Letter  A.  G.  O.,  August  1,  1884.] 

Position  of  file-closers  at  formation  of  company. 

The  file-closers  should  fall  in,  facing  in  the  same  direc¬ 
tion  as  the  men  in  ranks.  (Decision  of  Commanding 
Officer  U.  S.  Infantry  and  Cavalry  School.) 

Interpretation  of  words  “  subdivision  in  column .” 

“  The  words  ‘subdivision  in  column’  were  not  intended 
to  refer  to  a  column  of  fours.  Fours  are  not  spoken  of 


23 


as  a  subdivision.  In  a  column  of  fours  the  sergeants 
should  carry  their  arms  the  same  as  the  men.”  [Letter 
A.  G.  O.,  Nov.  20,  1877.] 

Execution  of  manual  of  arms  by  guides  and  file- closers . 

It  is  not  in  conformity  with  Upton’s  Tactics  for  guides 
and  file-closers  to  execute  any  of  the  manual  of  arms  from 
“  arms  port,”  except  that  of  “  carry  arms,”  and  the  posi¬ 
tion  of  arms  port  can  only  be  taken  from  a  carry  (see  last 
clause  of  pars.  85  and  87,  Infantry  Tactics).  [Letter  A. 
G.  0.,  Oct.  5,  1882.] 

The  guide  of  a  company,  drilling  singly,  when  march¬ 
ing  in  line  should  hold  his  musket  habitually  at  a  carry. 
[Letter  from  Adjutant  General  to  Editor  Army  and  Navy 
Journal,  Feb.  14,  1884.] 

Guides  and  file-closers  execute  parade  rest  on  dress  par¬ 
ade  at  the  command  of  their  captains  given  before  the 
band  sounds  off.  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  July  3,  1883.] 

It  is  incorrect  for  guides  and  file-closers  to  execute 
“  arms  port  ”  on  breaking  ranks  of  company.  [Decision 
of  General  Upton.] 

In  determining  the  question  as  to  what  guides,  under 
a.  par.  189,  are  exempt  from  the  “carry  arms,”  when 
marching  in  common  or  quick  time,  it  is  to  be  noted  that 
both  right  and  left  guides  of  a  company  or  division  are 
not  simultaneously  charged  with  the  step  and  direction 
of  march.  These  guides,  either  right  or  left,  who  are  not 
so  charged  are  exempt.  The  word  “  guide,”  as  used  in 
the  Tactics,  has  two  meanings.  It  may  mean  any  ser¬ 
geant  placed  on  the  flanks  of  a  company  in  line,  or  its 
front  and  rear  in  a  column  or  fours,  twos,  or  files ;  and 


24 


denominated  right  or  left,  and  leading  and  rear  guides. 
(See  pars.  180,  214,  382,  436,  etc.)  In  a  more  restricted 
sense  it  may  mean  that  particular  one  of  these  sergeants 
who,  for  the  time  being,  is  charged  with  the  step,  etc.  In 
par.  189  it  is  used  in  the  general  sense  in  the  plural  and 
in  the  restricted  sense  in  the  singular.  [Letter  A.  G  O., 
April  7,  1884.] 

Dismissing  a  squad  in  column  of  fours. 

There  is  no  tactical  authority  for  dismissing  a  squad  in 
column  of  fours.  It  is  a  custom  of  service  at  some  posts 

to  do  so.  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  Dec.  1,  1883.] 

Fours  in  circle  right  (or  left)  wheel. 

It  is  not  positively  incorrect  to  give  the  command  1. 
Fours  in  circle  right  (or  left)  wheel ,  March,  from  any 
position  ;  but  it  is  better  to  commence  the  movement  from 
line.  The  movement  must  always  be  finished  in  line  as 
prescribed  in  par.  212,  Infantry  Tactics. 

As  the  foregoing  exercise  is  simply  for  the  purpose  of 
perfecting  the  company  in  wheeling  by  fours,  and  not  for 
any  tactical  maneuver,  the  file-closers  do  not  follow  the 
fours  around,  but  remain  in  their  respective  positions,  and 
at  the  conclusion  of  the  exercise  take  their  proper  places, 
if  not  already  there.  [Letters  A.  G.  O.,  October  5,  1882, 
and  July  3,  1883.] 

The  about  by  twos ,  from  column  of  twos , 

is  not  a  proper  movement.  [Decision  of  the  General  of 
the  Army.] 


25 


The  formation  of  column  of  twos  to  the  front  from  line 

not  authorized. 

The  following  question  was  decided  by  the  Lieutenant- 
General  commanding  the  Army  as  follows  : 

Question. — A  company  being  in  line,  can  it  be  marched 
in  column  of  twos  to  the  front  by  the  commands  i .  Right' 
(os')  left  forward,  2.  Twos  right  (or)  left ,  3.  March?' 

Answer. — The  movement  is  practicable,  but  not  author¬ 
ized.  It  was  prescribed  in  the  first  edition  of  Upton’s 
Tactics,  paragraph  600,  page  91,  and  was  omitted  in  the 
edition  now  authorized.  When  the  movement  is  desira¬ 
ble,  it  can  be  accomplished  by  forming  column  of  twos 
to  the  right  and  then  changing  direction  to  the  left,  by 
the  commands  and  means  laid  down  in  the  Tactics. 
[Letter  A.  G.  O.,  Feb.  11,  1884.] 

Distance  between  ranks  in  column  of  twos,  and  march  of 

column  of  twos. 

Upon  questions  submitted,  the  General  of  the  Army 
decided  as  follows : 

Question. — Is  the  distance  between  ranks  in  column 
of  twos,  when  broken  from  column  of  fours,  double  rank 
formation,  the  same  as  when  broken  from  column  of  fours 
in  single-  rank  formation  ? 

Answer. — In  the  first  case  the  distance  is  ten  inches; 
in  the  second,  thirty-two  inches. 

Question. — Can  the  march  of  twos  be  in  double  time? 

Answer.  —  The  Tactics  provide  for  no  such  movement. 
On  the  contrary,  paragraph  236  (Infantry)  specifically 
says :  u  The  march  in  column  of  twos  (or  files)  is  always. 


26 


in  quick  time.”  This  applies  to  column  of  twos  formed 
from  column  of  fours  in  double-rank  formation.  Para¬ 
graph  42  as  well  as  many  others  indicate  that  whenever 
files  have  a  distance  of  32  inches,  they  can  be  marched 
in  double  time.  A  column  of  twos  formed  from  single 
rank  has  this  distance,  and  can  therefore  be  thus  marched. 
A  column  of  files  can,  if  necessary ,  be  marched  in  double 
time  by  increasing  the  distance  to  thirty- two  inches  (par¬ 
agraph  42).  No  specific  command  is,  however,  laid 
down  for  taking  this  distance.  The  movement  is  only  a 
casual  one  at  best,  is  employed  mostly  for  the  marching 
of  squads  or  detachments  for  police  and  such  like  pur¬ 
poses,  and  when  it  is  necessary  to  take  double  time  the 
files  take  the  increased  distance  without  any  formal  com¬ 
mands.  In  case  of  an  emergency,  a  column  of  twos 
could  take  distance  in  the  same  manner.  [Letter  to 
'Commanding  Officer  U.  S.  Infantry  and  Cavalry  School, 
March  26,  1883.] 

A  column  of  fours,  twos,  or  files  may  be  marched  a 
short  distance  to  the  rear,  or  to  a  flank,  but  no  maneuvers 
should  be  executed  until  the  column  is  again  faced  to  the 
•original  front.  The  officers  and  non-commissioned  offi¬ 
cers  face  with  the  column  and  retain  their  positions. 

Formation  of  column  of  fours,  on  the  right  or  left ,  into 

line  at  double  time . 

“  The  entire  company  takes  the  double  time  at  the  com¬ 
mand  1  in  double  rank  on  left  into  line,  double  time  7narch,  ’ 
when  marching  in  column  of  fours,  in  single  rank,  and 
this  accords  with  paragraphs  252  and  225  when  considered 


27 


in  connection  with  paragraph  5  of  the  Tactics.”  [Let¬ 
ter  A.  G.  O.,  January  16,  1885.] 

Cautionary  commands  by  chiefs  of  platoons. 

Chiefs  of  platoons  preface  their  commands  with  “  First  ” 
or  ££  Second ,”  only  when  specially  prescribed.  [Letter  A. 
G.  O.,  Oct.  5,  1882.] 

Skirmishers . 

The  Lieutenant-General  commanding  the  Army  de¬ 
cides  that  all  deployments  as  skirmishers  should  always 
be  made  on  number  four,  both  in  single  and  double  rank, 
whether  intervals  be  taken  on  the  right,  left,  or  center 
four.  [Letter  to  Commanding  General,  Department  of 
the  Missouri,  April  1,  1885.] 

Marching  to  the  rear,  the  right  and  left  skirmishers  re¬ 
tain  their  designations. 

To  rally  by  fours. 

To  ££  rally  by  fours”  when  in  single  rank,  number 
three  places  himself  on  the  right  of  number  four,  num¬ 
ber  two  on  the  right  of  number  three,  and  number  one 
between  numbers  two  and  four ;  thus  forming  a  circle  of 
numbers,  four,  three  two,  one,  from  right  to  rear.  [Let¬ 
ter  A.  G.  O.,  Nov.  10,  1883.] 

Opening  fire  after  the  rally. 

Question. — Paragraphs  326  and  327,  Infantry  Tactics. 
In  the  rally  by  fours  and  by  company,  do  the  men  open 
fire  at  once,  or  do  they  wait  for  the  command  commence 
firing? 


28 


Answer. — At  drill  the  command  for  firing  should  be 
given,  unless  the  line  is  firing  when  the  rally  is  ordered, 
in  which  case  the  firing  should  be  continued  without  com¬ 
mand  as  soon  as  the  rally  is  made. 

Order  of  companies  at  battalion  skirmish  drill  after  re¬ 
serve  has  been  taken  out ,  etc. 

Companies  on  the  skirmish  line  should  not  retain  their 
battalion  designation,  but  should  be  numbered  from  right 
to  left.  Bayonets  should  be  fixed  at  the  command, 
“Rally  by  divisions,”  as  the  movement  is  prescribed  for 
a  battalion  threatened  by  cavalry.  In  the  “  Rally  on  the 
battalion,”  bayonets  should  not  be  fixed  by  the  skirmish¬ 
ers,  unless  the  colonel  orders  his  battalion  to  fix  bayonets 
before  ordering  the  “rally.”  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  Sept. 
18,  1884.] 

Deployment  of  a  cavalry  battalio)i  in  column  of  fours  ta 
fight  on  foot ,  to  the  front ,  part  to  the  right  and  part  to 
the  left. 

Answer  was  made  to  question  submitted  to  General 
Sherman,  as  follo  ws  : 

Question. — Can  a  Cavalry  battalion  in  column  of  fours, 
dismounting  to  fight  on  foot,  be  deployed  as  skirmishers 
to  the  front,  part  of  the  battalion  to  the  right  and  part  to 
the  left ;  and  if  so,  by  what  commands  and  means? 

Answer. — “The  Tactics,  paragraph  688,  says  this 
maneuver  may  be  executed;  the  meaning  of  which  is,  that, 
though  allowable,  it  is  not  advisable.  No  form  of  com¬ 
mand  is  prescribed  for  simultaneously  dismounting  to  the 
right  and  left.  It  is  therefore  better  to  make  two  distinct 


29 


movements,  rather  than  extemporize  a  command  that 
may  either  be  misunderstood  or  give  rise  to  cavil  or  dis¬ 
cussion.  The  commands,  although  given  separately  and 
in  strict  conformity  with  the  words  of  the  Tactics,  may 
follow  in  such  quick  succession  as  to  make  the  movement 
quite  simultaneous. 

“The  maneuver,  whether  to  the  right  or  left,  or  both, 
is  to  provide  against  cases  where  a  command  is  confined 
to  a  narrow  way,  and  an  emergency  arises  when  it  is  de¬ 
sirable  to  deploy  as  skirmishers,  leaving  the  horses  still  in 
the  narrow  way.  The  method  of  doing  this,  prescribed 
in  Tactics,  recognizes  inversions  of  subdivisions — an  ex¬ 
ception  to  general  rules  warranted  by  the  conditions  under 
which  the  movement  is  required.”  [Letter  to  the  Com¬ 
manding  Officer  U.  S.  Infantry  and  Cavalry  School, 
March  26,  1883.] 

SCHOOL  OF  THE  BATTALION. 

Order  of  companies  in  formation  of  a  battalion  of  infan¬ 
try ,  etc. 

When  the  battalion  consists  of  three  companies  the 
captain  third  in  rank  commands  the  right  center,  or  color 
company,  this  being  the  second  company  in  the  battalion. 
[General  Upton.] 

When  the  battalion  consists  of  five  companies,  the 
General  of  the  Army  has  at  different  times  decided  in 
substance  as  follows :  The  (Infantry)  Tactics,  paragraph 
365,  prescribe  that  the  third  captain  has  the  right  center, 
or  color  company.  This  is  an  invariable  rule.  When 
the  number  of  companies  is  uneven,  as  in  a  case  cited, 


30 


the  same  paragraph  prescribes  that  the  fourth  captain 
commands  the  second  company  from  the  left,  and  not, 
as  *  *  *  has  it,  the  third  from  the  left.  Be¬ 

sides  the  unmistakable  plainness  of  the  table  on  page  150 
of  the  Tactics,  it  so  happens  in  this  instance,  there  being 
five  companies,  the  position  of  each  is  specifically  pointed 
out  in  the  text. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  table  and  text  entirely 

agree. 

A  different  arrangement  may  possibly  be  better  than 
that  laid  down  in  the  Tactics,  and  it  is  well  known  that 
the  propriety  of  the  formation  laid  down  in  the  Tactics 
is  questioned,  but  until  an  authorized  change  is  made 
they  must  be  explicitly  followed.  [Letters  A.  G.  O., 
October  5,  1882.] 

Construction  of  the  first  five  lines ,  top  of  page  15 1,  In¬ 
fantry  Tactics. 

In  the  absence  of  a  captain  for  a  few  days  only,  his 
company  must  retain  its  old  place  in  the  line,  unless  oth¬ 
erwise  ordered  by  the  commanding  officer. 

Question. — When  a  battalion  is  composed  of  fractions 
of  regiments  are  these  fractions  arranged  in  line  accord-  ^ 
ing  to  the  rank  of  captains  actually  with  companies,  field 
officers  present  at  the  post,  or  according  to  the  rank  of 
the  officer  actually  in  command  on  the  ground  ? 

Answer. — “  According  to  the  rank  of  the  senior  officer 
present  in  each”  fraction.  [Circular  No.  2,  U.  S.  In¬ 
fantry  and  Cavalry  School,  1884.] 

When  a  single  battalion  is  made  up  of  fractions  of  two- 


31 


or  more  regiments,  there  is  no  interval  between  the  com¬ 
panies,  and  they  are  arranged  as  prescribed  in  the  last 
clause  of  paragraph  365,  page  152,  Infantry  Tactics. 
[Letter  A.  G.  O.,  September  10.  1884.] 

General  rules  for  successive  formations . 

Paragraph  378,  Infantry  Tactics,  describes  a  successive 
formation  on  the  center,  and  therefore  says  :  “  The  flank 
companies  support  arms  as  soon  as  dressed.” 

In  all  successive  formations  on  a  flank ,  the  company  on 
which  the  formation  is  made  will  not  be  brought  to  the 
support  until  the  command  “front”  by  the  captain  of  the 
next  company. 

In  forming  line  by  two  movements ,  the  companies  which 
form  to  the  right  or  left  are  brought  to  support  as  soon 
as  dressed  ;  except  the  one  farthest  from  the  point  of  rest, 
which  remains  at  the  carry  until  the  command  “front" 
by  the  captain  of  the  company  coming  first  into  line  by 
the  second  movement. 

Informing  line  by  two  movements from  column  of  fours, 
the  guides  of  that  portion  of  the  column  which  forms  to 
the  right  or  left  do  not  come  on  the  line.  [The  above  de¬ 
cisions  on  “  general  rules  for  successive  formation  ”  were 
rendered  by  General  Upton  in  answer  to  questions  sub¬ 
mitted  by  Colonel  R.  I.  Dodge,  U.  S.  A.] 

In  the  formation  of  the  battalion  (pages  157-158,  In¬ 
fantry  Tactics),  the  captain  of  the  right  center  company 
should  bring  his  company  to  a  “  support ”  as  soon  as  the 
captains  of  the  companies  next  to  him  in  his  own  and 
left  wing  give  the  command  front.” 


32 


The  junior  captain  gives  the  command  support  ar?ns 
from  his  position  in  the  rear  rank.  [Letter  A.  G.  O., 
July  14,  1882.] 

The  general  alignment  prescribed  in  paragraph  405, 
Infantry  Tactics,  is  not  a  successive  formation  ;  therefore 
guides  should  not  invert  pieces,  nor  company  command¬ 
ers  order  ‘ ‘  support  anns.  ’  ’  [Decision  of  General  Upton  ] 

The  following  question,  submitted  to  Commanding 
Officer  U.  S.  Infantry  and  Cavalry  School,  was  by  him 
decided  as  follows: 

Question. — Paragraph  42 1 ,  Infantry  Tactics.  In  form¬ 
ing  the  column  of  fours,  left  in  front,  on  the  right  or  left 
into  line,  the  colonel  desiring  to  commence  firing  by  com¬ 
pany,  would  it  be  a  violation  of  the  provisions  of  para¬ 
graph  388  for  the  fire  to  be  commenced  by  the  first  com¬ 
pany  on  the  line? 

Answer. — No.  It  would  probably  be  necessary  in  a 
case  of  this  kind  to  take  up  the  firing  immediately  and 
by  company  as  soon  as  the  guides  retire.  Paragraph  421 
makes  a  special  exception,  and  states  that  the  fire  shall 
begin  with  the  company  first  on  the  line. 

The  guides  of  companies  that  have  changed  direction 
in  forming  line  from  column  of  companies  at  full  distance 
by  two  movements  do  not  invert  their  pieces. 

The  guides  of  the  right  companies  of  a  double  column 
do  not  invert  their  pieces  in  forming  line  to  the  right. 
The  general  rule  laid  down  in  paragraph  374  of  the  Tac¬ 
tics  obtains  only  for  those  companies  that  execute  the 
movement  successively.  ♦ 


33 


Posts  of  officers ,  etc.,  in  the  march  to  the  rear ,  the  bat¬ 
talion  having  previously  advanced  by  the  flank  of  sub¬ 
divisions. 

The  interpretation  of  the  words  “  march  as  in  the  ad¬ 
vance,”  in  the  last  line  of  paragraph  461,  of  the  Tactics, 
is  that  the  field  officers,  adjutant,  sergeant-major,  staff, 
and  band  remain  in  their  relative  positions,  the  staff  in 
front  of  the  band,  the  band  in  front  of  the  center  subdi¬ 
vision,  the  adjutant  and  sergeant-major  being  abreast  with 
the  heads  of  subdivisions,  etc. 

This  conforms  to  the  rules  laid  down  in  paragraph  507, 
for  the  march  to  the  rear  of  a  double  column  of  com¬ 
panies. 

Battalion  advancing  by  right  or  left  of  wings,  to  reform 

line. 

It  is  not  contemplated  in  the  Tactics  that  the  wings  of 
a  battalion  of  infantry  should  execute  “*right  front  into 
line,”  so  as  to  bring  the  colors  on  the  right  of  the  bat¬ 
talion,  and  the  movement  should  not  be  executed.  [Let¬ 
ter  A.  G.  O.,  Nov.  19,  1884.] 

Ployment  on  an  interior  company  or  division  for  infantry . 

Question. — In  paragraph  780,  Cavalry  Tactics,  com¬ 
mands  and  means  are  laid  down  for  the  ployment  on  an 
interior  company,  but  a  reference  to  the  Infantry  Tactics 
shows  that  this  movement,  which  would  seem  to  be  quite 
as  important  for  infantry  as  cavalry,  is  not  provided  for. 

Would  it  be  proper  to  ploy  on  an  interior  company  or 
division  in  infantry  by  the  commands  and  means  pre¬ 
scribed  for  cavalry? 


34 


Answer. — There  can  be  no  objection  to  it.  Ployments 
were  formerly  made  on  an  interior  division  of  an  infantry 
line.  [Circular  No.  2,  U.  S.  Infantry  and  Cavalry 
School,  1884.] 

General  guides. 

Now  that  flags  are  to  be  carried  by  the  general  guides, 
under  the  provisions  of  paragraph  2792  y2  of  the  Regula¬ 
tions  (General  Orders  No.  61,  of  1885,  from  this  office), 
the  practice  of  inverting  the  piece  in  the  deployment  of 
close  column,  as  set  forth  in  the  last  two  lines  of  para¬ 
graph  498,  page  217,  Infantry  Tactics,  will  be  discon¬ 
tinued.  [Decision  Lieut. -Gen.,  letter  June  24,  1885 — 
3391,  A-  G-  O.,  1885.] 

Passing  file-closers  from  one  flank  to  the  other  in  School 

of  Battalion  Mounted. 

Question. — In  Infantry  Tactics,  paragraphs  214  and 
415,  also  in  Cavalry  Tactics,  school  of  company  and 
battalion  dismounted,  paragraphs  228  and  326,  provision 
is  made  for  changing  a  column  of  fours  from  right  in 
front  to  left  in  front ,  and  the  reverse,  by  passing  the 
file-closers  from  one  flank  to  the  other. 

Is  it  not  proper,  and  in  accordance  with  the  spirit  of 
tactics,  to  do  this  mounted  by  the  same  commands  and 
means  as  when  dismounted  ;  if  not,'  why  not  ? 

Answer. — Dismounted,  file-closers  can  pass  readily 
between  sets  of  fours,  but  mounted  they  cannot.  The 
latter  could  pass  around  the  head  and  rear  of  their  re¬ 
spective  companies,  and  the  movement  might  be  intro¬ 
duced  with  advantage.  [Circular  No.  2,  U.  S.  Infantry 
and  Cavalry  School,  1884  ] 


35 


Cavalry  Tactics , par .  yg2.  Position  of  troop  commander 
in  the  march  of  the  close  column  by  the  flank. 

On  cavalry  battalion  drill  in  close  column  of  com¬ 
panies,  right  in  front,  at  the  command  “Fours  right,* 
Guide  right,”  the  troop  commanders  remain  on  the  left, 
and  No.  4  is  the  guide  of  the  leading  four.  In  the  march 
by  the  flank,  of  a  battalion  in  close  column  of  companies, 
the  company  column  on  that  flank  on  which  the  guide  is 
announced  is  the  directing  column,  and  its  march  is  regu¬ 
lated  by  its  guide,  either  on  the  right  or  on  the  left, 
according  as  the  column  is  right  or  left  in  front. 

In  regard  to  paragraphs  543  and  582  of  the  Tactics, 
the  announcement  of  the  guide  in  case  of  a  company  in 
column  of  platoons,  marching  by  the  flank,  fixes  the  posi¬ 
tion  of  the  troop  commander,  just  as  in  the  march  by  the 
flank  of  a  battalion  in  close  column  of  companies  it  fixes, 
'the  position  of  the  major.  It  is  not  contemplated  in  the- 
Tactics  that  the  platoons  in  the  first  case,  or  the  com¬ 
panies  in  the  second,  should  be  changed  from  right  to 
left  in  front  by  the  mere  announcement  of  the  guide. 
[Letter  to  Commanding  General  Department  of  the  Mis¬ 
souri,  May  2,  1885.] 

Error  i?i  paragraph  818,  Cavalry  Tactics. 

“The  typographical  error  in  the  last  clause  of  para¬ 
graph  818,  Cavalry  Tactics,  consists  in  using  the  word 
‘toward’  instead  of  the  word  ‘opposite.’”  [Letter  to 
Commanding  Officer  U.  S.  Infantry  and  Cavalry  School, 
March  26,  1883.] 


36 


Double  column  of  fours  ( cavalry )  when  right  and  when 

left  in  front. 

Provision  is  made  in  paragraph  868,  Cavalry  Tactics, 
for  ploying  the  double  column  of  fours  into  column  in 
double  rank  at  closed  distance ;  but  no  reference  being 
made  as  to  when  a  column  of  fours  is  to  be  considered 
right  and  when  left  in  front,  a  simple  and  practical  rule, 
announced  by  Major  S.  B.  M.  Young,  3d  Cavalry,  com¬ 
manding  cavalry  battalion  at  the  U.  S.  Infantry  and 
'  Cavalry  School,  has  been  adopted  at  the  school. 

Ritle:  “A  double  column  of  fours  is  right  in  front 
when  the  file-closers  are  at  the  rear  of  the  column,  and 
left  in  front  when  they  are  at  the  head  of  the  column.” 

This  rule  works  well  in  executing  the  movement  above 
referred  to.  A  company  column  right  in  'front,  after 
'entering  the  battalion  column,  wheels  by  fours  to  the  left, 
.and  when  left  in  front,  by  fours  to  the  right.  [Circular 
"No.  2,  U.  S.  Infantry  and  Cavalry  School,  1884.] 

Designation  of  companies  in  echelon. 

As  to  whether  the  numerical  designation  of  com¬ 
panies  change  the  order  of  echelon ,  the  General  of  the 
Army  says : 

“Echelon  formation  is  one  partaking  more  of  the 
nature  of  a  line  than  of  a  column,  for  the  reason  that  all 
parts  of  it  can  deliver  its  fire  to  the  front — a  thing  that 
cannot  be  done  in  a  column,  strictly  speaking. 

“  For  all  tactical  purposes  it  is  a  line  having  its  front 
in  the  direction  in  which  the  subdivisions  face. 

“  The  companies  are  designated  numerically  from 


"  X 


37 


right  to  left  in  the  same  manner  as  though  the  line  were 
unbroken,  and  this,  too,  independent  of  whether  the  first 
is  the  most  advanced  or  most  retired  company.”  [Letter 
to  Commanding  Officer  U.  S.  Infantry  and  Cavalry  School, 
March  26,  1883.] 

Salutes,  Honors  to  be  paid  by  Troops,  etc. 

No  salutes  at  inspection  of  quarters. 

Soldiers  do  not  salute  at  the  inspection  of  quarters  pre¬ 
scribed  in  Infantry  Tactics,  page  360  (Cavalry  Tactics, 
top  of  page  436),  nor  do  they  salute  on  the  occasions 
contemplated  in  paragraph  803,  Infantry  (1121,  Cavalry) 
Tactics.  In  both  eases  they  simply  remain  standing  at 
attention.  [Letters  A.  G.  O.,  March  13,  1882.] 

Sa Lutes  by  enlisted  men. 

The  Regulations  require  an  enlisted  man  to  salute, 
under  all  circumstances  when  meeting  an  officer,  except¬ 
ing  when  indoor  and  unarmed;  in  such  case  he  uncovers 
and  stands  at  attention,  as  provided  in  paragraph  605 
of  the.  Regulations.  [Letter  Nov.  16,  1883 — 4770, 
A.  G.  O.,  1883.] 

Salutes  in  situations  where  they  cannot  be  returned. 

Question. — Should  an  enlisted  man  passing  an  officer, 
who  is  standing  at  parade  rest  in  front  of  his  company  at 
retreat,  salute,  it  being  manifestly  improper  for  the  officer 
to  return  the  salute  under  such  circumstances? 

Answer. — Yes.  [Decision  of  the  Commanding  Officer 
U.  S.  Infantry  and  Cavalry  School,  Sept.  22,  1882.] 


38 


Order  of  march  for  a  marching  salute. 

In  regard  to  the  order  of  march  for  rendering  a  march¬ 
ing  salute  General  Upton  says  :  “  This  is  not  prescribed, 
but  if  done,  the  general  could  give  any  order  to  his  troops, 
as  first,  Cavalry;  second,  Artillery;  third,  Infantry.  But 
for  a  regular  review,  the  troops  should  pass  first,  Infantry; 
second,  Artillery;  third,  Cavalry.”  (See  paragraph  833, 
Infantry  Tactics.) 

Commanders  of  subdivisions  render  salutes  only  when 

specially  directed. 

Question. — In  case  of  a  battalion  marching  past  a  gen¬ 
eral  officer,  I  take  it  that  pieces  should  be  brought  to  a 
carry  and  the  colonel  only  salute.  How  about  a  larger 
command?  Commanding  officer  should  salute,  should 
the  colonel  salute? 

Answer. — No  rules  are  prescribed  except  for  review, 
but  paragraph  792  should  apply  and  only  commanding 
officer  salutes.  [General  Upton.] 

Ceremonies.  . 

When  a  company  is  inspected  on  company  parade  (not 
preceded  by  a  review),  the  company  does  not  present 
arms.  The  inspector  is  saluted  by  the  company  com¬ 
mander  only,  the  company  being  at  a  carry.  The  officer, 
if  he  desires  to  inspect  simply,  acknowledges  the  salute, 
and  then  says:  Prepare  your  company  for  inspection.  If 
he  desires  to  muster  the  company  in  addition,  he  says : 
Prepare  your  company  for  inspection  and  muster.  The 
captain  then  faces  about,  causes  the  company  to  carry 


39 


arms,  and  opens  ranks  as  in  paragraph  183,  Infantry  (194 
Cavalry)  Tactics. 

The  inspection  is  conducted  on  the  principles  pre¬ 
scribed — pages  358-59-60,  Infantry  Tactics. 

If  muster  follows  the  inspection,  the  command  atten¬ 
tion  to  muster  is  given  as  soon  as  the  inspection  is  finished. 

Post  of  captain  at  inspection  when  giving  command, 

“  Open  boxes." 

At  inspection,  the  post  of  the  captain,  in  giving  the 
command  1.  Open ,  2.  Boxes,  is  three  yards  in  front  of 
the  right  file  of  the  company  and  facing  to  the  left. 
[Decision  of  the  Commanding  Officer  U.  S.  Infantry 
and  Cavalry  School,  September  22,  1882.] 

Post  of  staff  officers  at  dress  parade. 

“In  the  formation  of  a  battalion  for  parade,  the  colo¬ 
nel  takes  his  place  in  front  unaccompanied  by  the  regi¬ 
mental  staff.  The  latter  take  positions  on  the  right  of  the 
adjutant  (whose  place  is  as  specified  in  the  second  para¬ 
graph  of  page  154,  Infantry  Tactics),  placing  themselves, 
according  to  rank,  at  one  yard  apart,  and  one  yard  from 
the  adjutant;  the  non-commissioned  staff  take  post  as  ex¬ 
plained  in  the  second  clause  from  the  last  of  paragraph 
368. 

“  These  positions  are  taken  as  the  battalion  is  formed. 
At  the  command  *  *  *  ‘  Rear  open  order ,  march , ' 

the  staff  officers  step  forward  and  dress  up  on  the  line  of 
company  officers ;  the  non-commissioned  staff — the  ser¬ 
geant-major  on  the  right — form  in  a  similar  manner  on 
the  left  of  the  battalion,  dressing  on  the  front  rank. 


40 


“At  the  command  ‘ Parade  is  dismissed the  officers, 
including  those  of  the  staff,  close  in  to  the  center,  as  ex¬ 
plained  on  page  350. 

“In  doing  this  the  held  officers,  after  returning  sword, 
face  toward  the  battalion,  march  until  on  the  line  of  com¬ 
pany  officers,  face  to  the  center,  and  close  in  with  the 
other  officers,  following  in  the  rear  of  the  last  officer  on 
each  flank. 

“The  remainder  of  the  ceremony  is  as  explained  on 
pages  350  and  351.”  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  Dec.  29,  1882.] 

Post  of  officers  of  the  general  staff  at  street  parade. 

In  regard  to  this  question  the  Lieutenant-General  com¬ 
manding  the  Army  decides  as  follows  : 

“  Street  parades  are  not  prescribed  in  Tactics  or  Regu¬ 
lations),  and  no  rules  are  laid  down  for  them.  They  are, 
however,  established  by  custom. 

“  On  account  of  the  width  of  the  ordinary  streets,  the 
position  for  the  staff  prescribed  in  paragraph  368,  page 
154  (Infantry  Tactics),  is  impossible;  and  as  the  occa¬ 
sion  is  a  ceremonial  one  the  position  prescribed  in  para¬ 
graph  459  is  inapplicable. 

“  The  opinion  expressed  by  General  Hancock  is  cor¬ 
rect,  and  the  staff  in  this  case  should  march  as  in  review — 
paragraph  815,  page  355.”  [Letter  to  Commanding 
General,  Department  of  the  East,  August  2,  1884.] 

Color  bearer. 

At  dress  parade  of  a  regiment,  while  the  battalion  is 
standing  at  a  “  parade  rest,”  it  is  the  practice  for  the 
color  bearer  to  remove  the  staff  from  the  socket  and  rest 


41 


the  end  upon  the  ground.  At  an  “order  arms”  and 
“  parade  rest  ”  the  color  bearer  takes  position  with  the 
staff,  nearly  as  practicable,  the  same  as  the  soldier  does 
with  his  rifle.  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  March  io,  1885.] 

Dress  parade  for  the  three  arms  combined  not  allowable. 

Question. — I  take  it  that  a  brigade  dress  parade  of  the 
three  arms  is  not  intended;  if  it  is  allowable,  however, 
would  not  paragraph  833  govern  in  the  formation? 

Answer  — No  dress  parade  is  prescribed  for  the  three 
arms  united  and  ought  not  to  be.  [Decision  of  Gen. 
Upton.] 

Dress  parade  for  brigade  of  infantry. 

Question. — In  formation  for  brigade  dress  parade  (line 
of  masses),  if  battalions  are  brought  to  “place  rest” 
should  colonels  command  “  Guides  posts  ?”  See  page 
252,  last  paragraph.  Taking  paragraph  637  in  connec¬ 
tion,  it  seems  to  me  the  adjutant-general  should  give  the- 
command.  Am  I  right? 

Answer. — If  the  formation  for  dress  parade  is  in  line 
of  masses  the  adjutant-general  should  command  “  Guides 
posts  f  then  “  Battalions  attention ,”  but  bear  in  mind! 
that  by  last  paragraph,  page  252,  it  remains  optional  with 
the  general  whether  the  battalions  in  their  first  formation 
are  permitted  to  come  to  “place  rest.”  [Decision  of 
Gen.  Upton.] 

The  commanding  officers  at  revieiv  who  do  not  return 

swords  on  taking  post  on  right  of  reviewing  officer. 

Generals  of  brigade  and  their  staff,  and  colonels  com¬ 
manding  battalions,  do  not  return  swords  when  they  take 


42 


place  on  right  of  reviewing  officer  after  leaving  the  col¬ 
umn. 

The  form  “  of  dress  parade  ”  prescribed  by  the  Tactics 
is  applicable  to  a  mixed  battalion  of  different  arms  of  the 
service  dismounted. 

Equalizing  companies  before  review. 

“A  battalion  being  in  line  maybe  equalized  before  re¬ 
view  as  prescribed  in  paragraph  382,  Upton’s  Infantry 
Tactics.  In  this  case,  if  there  is  an  inspection  after  the 
review,  the  colonel  should,  before  wheeling  into  column, 
notify  the  captains  to  reform  their  companies.  The  cap¬ 
tains  should  then  cause  their  first  sergeants,  or  right  guides, 
to  take  their  places  on  the  right  of  their  permanent  com¬ 
panies,  so  that  in  column  for  inspection  or  muster  each 
permanent  company  would  be  by  itself.”  [Letter  A.  G. 
O.,  Sept.  1,  1883.] 

Place  of  staff  officers  at  review ,  etc. 

“Inasmuch  as  the  Tactics  and  Regulations  are  silent 
on  the  subject,  we  must  refer  to  the  usages  of  service. 
The  officers  of  the  general  staff,  serving  at  military 
posts,  do  not  belong  to  regiments  or  battalions,  but  con¬ 
stitute  the  staff  of  the  commanding  officer.  They  will 
attend  him  on  all  reviews  and  inspections,  will  form  in 
line  three  paces  to  the  rear  of  the  commanding  officer, 
who  may  at  his  discretion  require  them  to  stand  fast  when 
he  proceeds  to  make  the  *  inspection,’  or  he  may  instruct 
one  or  more  to  accompany  him  and  the  remainder  to  re¬ 
tain  their  position  at  the  post  for  review. 

“But  with  non  commissioned  officers  no  distinction  is 


43 


made  as  to  whether  they  are  regimental  or  of  the  gen¬ 
eral  staff — all  taking  post  as  prescribed  in  Tactics.  Act¬ 
ing  rank  confers  no  position  prejudicial  to  actual  rank.” 
[Letter  A.  G.  O.,  May  31,  1881.] 

Post  of  troop  commanders  when  passing  in  review. 

Cavalry  troops  are  marched  in  review  in  column  of 
either  companies  or  platoons  ;  differing  in  this  respect 
from  infantry,  in  which  the  line  is  broken  only  into  col¬ 
umn  of  companies.  When  in  column  of  companies  the 
captain  is  in  front  of  the  center  of  his  company  (troop), 
as  prescribed  in  paragraph  534,  Cavalry  Tactics;  and 
when  in  column  of  platoons  the  captain  is,  as  prescribed 
in  paragraph  565,  abreast  of  the  leading  platoon,  on  the 
side  of  the  guide  four  yards  from  the  flank,  and  there  is 
no  exception  to  this.  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  Dec.  20,  1882.] 

Proper  time  for  commanding  officer  to  return  sword  at 

review  of  a  battalion. 

Question. — When  should  the  commanding  officer,  at 
review  of  a  battalion,  return  his  sword,  and  when  should 
he  draw  it  after  he  has  accompanied  the  reviewing  officer 
in  inspecting  the  battalion  before  marching  in  review  ? 
a  Answer. — All  things  being  in  readiness  for  the  review, 

the  reviewing  officer  advances  a  few  paces  toward  the 
colonel,  and  halts  when  the  colonel  faces  about  and  com¬ 
mands  “  present  arms,”  faces  to  the  front  and  salutes. 
The  reviewing  officer  acknowledges  the  salute,  etc. ,  after 
which  the  colonel  faces  about  and  commands  “  carry 
arms,”  and  faces  again  to  the  front.  *  *  * 

He  will  then  return  his  sword  and  join  the  reviewing  of- 


44 


ficer,  who  has  started  for  the  right  of  the  line.  When 
about  joining  the  reviewing  officer  the  colonel  will  salute 
by  touching  his  hat,  and  will  take  his  place  on  the  right 
of  the  reviewing  officer  and  accompany  him  around  the 
battalion.  On  reaching  the  right  of  the  line,  the  colonel 
will  pass  to  the  rear  and  take  his  place  on  the  left  of  the 
reviewing  officer.  After  accompanying  him  some  fifteen 
or  twenty  paces,  he  will  salute  by  touching  his  hat,  and 
move  direct  to  his  post  in  front  of  the  center  of  the  bat¬ 
talion,  face  it,  draw  sword ,  and  command  “  close  order, 
march.”  [Letter  to  editor  Army  and  Navy  Journal 
Jan.  16,  1885.] 

Reviewing  officer  passing  around  battalion  at  review. 

It  is  entirely  optional  whether  the  reviewing  officer 
passes  between  the  band  or  drum  corps  and  the  right  of 
the  regiment  at  review  or  not.  When  mounted,  he  will 
pass  to  the  right  of  the  band.  [Decision  of  Gen.  Upton. 
See  Army  and  Navy  Journal ,  May  3,  1873.] 

Post  oj  captain  mounted  at  command  “ rear  open  order  P 

(Paragraph  1154,  Cavalry  Tactics  ) 

The  Tactics  are  indefinite.  The  following  rule  would 
seem  pertinent :  At  the  command  rear  open  order ,  the 
captain  places  himself  nine  yards  to  the  front  of  the  right 
file,  facing  to  the  left  so  as  to  be  in  proper  position  to 
superintend  the  alignment  of  officers.  At  the  command 
march,  the  captain  proceeds  as  in  company  formation. 
[Circular  No.  2,  U.  S.  Infantry  and  Cavalry  School,  1884.] 


45 


Instructions  for  lieutenants  at  inspection. 

At  inspection  of  infantry  or  cavalry  dismounted,  at  the 
approach  of  the  inspector,  lieutenants  of  infantry  will 
bring  their  swords  to  a  carry  at  the  command  “ inspection 
arms,"  and  lieutenants  of  cavalry  will  bring  their  sabers 
to  a  carry  at  the  command  “ Carry  arms." 

*  *  *  *  *  * 

Upon  the  completion  of  the  inspector’s  examination 
of  the  ammunition  and  boxes  all  lieutenants  will  come  to 
an  attention  and  carry,  face  about,  and  lieutenants  of 
infantry  will  again,  immediately  thereafter,  drop  their 
swords  to  the  front,  but  lieutenants  of  cavalry  will  remain 
at  a  carry.  [Orders  No.  2,  U.  S.  Infantry  and  Cavalry 
School,  1882.] 

Manual for  inspection  of  blanket  bags  ( prepared  by  Capt. 

Evan  Miles ,  Twenty- First  Infantry.') 

The  following  manual  for  the  inspection  of  blanket 
bags — which  may  be  used  in  place  of  that  prescribed  for 
the  inspection  of  knapsacks,  in  paragraph  816,  page  359 
(except  the  first  six  lines),  and  the  first  three  lines  of  page 
360,  of  Upton  Infantry  Tactics — is  published  for  the  in- 
*  formation  and  government  of  all  concerned. 

The  captain  then  closes  ranks,  stacks  arms,  opens  ranks, 
and  commands : 

1.  Front  Rank,  2.  About,  3.  Face,  4.  Unsling,  5. 
Blanket  Bags,  6.  Open ,  7.  Blanket  Bags. 

The  men  of  the  front  rank,  having  faced  about,  take  a 
short  step  forward  so  as  to  be  free  from  the  stacks. 


46 


At  the  command  “unsling”  each  man  makes  a  half 
face  to  the  right  and  unfastens  the  hook  of  the  right  strap 
by  seizing  the  D  ring  with  the  thumb  and  forefinger  of 
the  left  hand,  passed  under  the  blanket  bag;  he  then 
unhooks  the  strap  with  the  right  hand,  and  unslings  the 
blanket  bag  by  passing  the  right  forearm  over  the  head;, 
at  the  same  time  he  faces  to  the  front,  and,  standing  erect, 
holds  it  by  the  straps  in  front  of  the  knees.  At  the-com- 
mand  “  blanket  bags,”  he  places  the  blanket  bag  on  the 
ground  against  the  toes,  the  straps  underneath,  the  great¬ 
coat  outward,  and  then  stands  at  attention;  at  the  sev¬ 
enth  command  he  opens  the  blanket  bag,  turning  the  flap 
from  him,  the  flap  resting  on  the  greatcoat;  he  then 
stands  at  attention. 

The  inspector  having  inspected  the  ‘blanket  bags,  the 
captain  commands : 

i.  Repack ,  2.  Blanket  Bags. 

At  the  command  “  blanket  bags,”  each  soldier  repacks 
and  fastens  up  his  blanket  bag,  leaving  it  in  the  satire 
position  as  before  opening  it,  and  then  stands  at  attention. 
The  captain  then  commands : 

i.  Sling.  2.  Blanket  Bags. 

At  the  command  “sling,”  each  man  grasps  the  un¬ 
hooked  (right)  strap  with  the  right  hand,  the  hooked  left 
strap  with  the  left  hand,  the  back  of  the  left  hand  to  the 
right,  raises  the  blanket  bag,  and,  standing  erect,  makes 
a  half  face  to  the  right. 

At  the  command  “  blanket  bags,”  he  swings  the  blanket 
bag  over  the  shoulders,  passing  the  left  arm  through  the 


47 


hooked  strap,  and  carrying  the  right-hand  strap  over  the 
head.  He  then  brings  this  strap  down  over  the  right 
shoulder,  makes  a  half  face  to  the  left,  and  hooks  the 
strap  with  the  right  hand,  holding  the  D  ring  with  the 
thumb  and  forefinger  of  the  left  hand  passed  under  the 
'  blanket  bag.  Each  man  then  stands  at  attention.  [G.  (). 
13,  H.  Q.  A.,  Feb.  10,  1885.] 

Review  of  a  division. 

% 

The  following  questions  submitted  to  the  General  of 
the  Army  were  by  him  answered  as  follows : 

First  Question. — A  division  is  formed  in  line  of  masses, 
that  is,  each  regiment  shows  division  front.  Does  the 
reviewing  officer  ride  around  each  brigade  by  itself,  or 
does  he  ride  down  the  entire  division  front  and  back  in 
its  rear?  Upton  says  he  rides  as  prescribed  for  division 
in  line  of  battle. 

Answer. — The  reviewing  officer,  in  reviewing  a  division 
in  line  of  masses,  rides  to  the  extreme  left  before  passing 
in  rear  of  any  of  the  brigades.  (See  sixth  paragraph, 
page  391,  and  fifth  paragraph,  page  389,  Upton’s  Tactics,) 

Second  Question. — Does  a  major-general  commanding 
three  brigades  draw  a  sword  and  salute  the  reviewing  of¬ 
ficer  while  his  command  stands  in  line  of  battle  or  in 
masses  ? 

Answer. — The  division  commander  does  not  salute 
when  a  division  is  in  line  or  in  line  of  masses.  The  sa¬ 
lute  of  a  division  is  given  by  brigade.  (See  last  para¬ 
graph  on  page  388,  and  following.) 

Third  Question. — While  troops  are  marching  in  review 


> 


48 


with  the  general  at  the  head,  where  does  the  assistant  ad¬ 
jutant-general  ride  ;  at  his  side,  or  six  paces  in  rear  ? 

Answer. — The  adjutant-general  is  a  part  of  the  staff, 
and  as  a  member  thereof  rides  six  yards  in  rear  of  the 
general.  (See  fifth  paragraph,  page  386;  also  third  par¬ 
agraph,  page  390.) 

Fourth  Question. — While  a  brigadier-general  rides 
down  the  front  of  his  line  with  the  major-general  and 
reviewing  officer,  does  he  have  his  sword  drawn  or  in  the 
scabbard  ? 

Anszuer. — Brigade  commanders  do  not  accompany  the 
reviewing  officer  in  the  review  of  a  division.  They  are 
supposed  to  have  their  swords  drawn  at  all  times.  Corps 
and  division  commanders  have  their  swords  in  the  scab¬ 
bard,  except  on  approaching  the  reviewing  officer  march¬ 
ing  in  review.  (See  page  384,  third  paragraph.) 

Fifth  Question. — While  a  brigade  commander  is  at  the 
right  of  the  reviewing  officer  at  the  reviewing  station,  does 
he  have  sword  drawn  or  in  scabbard  ? 

Answer. — As  the  brigade  commanders  are  not  directed 
to  return  swords,  they  remain  drawn  while  they  are  by 
the  side  of  the  reviewing  officer.  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  Sept. 
1,  1880.] 

Reviews  of  brigades  and  divisions. 

Neither  paragraph  826  nor  827,  Infantry  Tactics,  ex¬ 
pressly  states  whether  or  not  the  colonels  commanding 
battalions  leave  their  battalions,  after  passing  in  review, 
to  take  place  on  the  right  of  the  general  of  brigade.  For 
the  colonel  to  place  himself  by  the  side  of  the  brigade 
commander  does  not  violate  any  of  the  principles  of  as- 


49 


similation  of  the  tactics.  Moreover,  the  presence  of  the 
colonel  at  the  reviewing  point  is  desirable,  that  he  may 
give  information  in  regard  to  details  of  his  regiment  that 
might  not  be  known  to  the  general  commanding  the 
brigade.  It  is  therefore  held  that,  in  the  review  of  a 
-  brigade  of  infantry,  the  colonels  commanding  battalions 
should,  unaccompanied  by  their  staff,  take  place  on  the 
right  of  the  general  commanding  the  brigade ;  that  in 
review  of  a  division  of  infantry  the  colonels  should  not 
leave  the  head  of  their  battalions  after  passing  the  review¬ 
ing  officer.  [General  decision,  letter,  Aug.  28,  1885  — 
5609,  A.  G.  0.,i885-] 

Officers  joining  funeral  processio?i  follow  in  order  of 

rank. 

Upon  a  point  raised  as  to  a  discrepancy  between  the 
wording  of  paragraph  635  of  the  Regulations  of  1881, 
and  the  corresponding  paragraph  in  the  Regulations  of 
1863,  the  General  of  the  Army  decides  :  “In  the  mat¬ 
ter  referred  to,  paragraph  635  (Codified  Regulations)  cites 
Upton’s  Tactics  as  well  as  the  Regulations  of  1863. 
These  Tactics  having  been  adopted  subsequently  to  the 
v  Regulations  of  1863,  take  precedence  whenever  conflict 
occurs.  Therefore  persons  joining  the  procession  follow 
the  coffin  in  order  of  their  rank — not  in  the  inverse ,  as 
was  prescribed  by  the  Regulations  of  1863.  It  will  be 
observed  that  according  to  the  Tactics  nothing  is  reversed 
at  funerals  except  the  arms  of  the  infantry  escort  and  the 
order  in  column  of  the  troops  when  the  escort  is  com¬ 
posed  of  different  arms  of  service.  The  old  practice  of 


50 


inversions  is  gradually  falling  into  disuse.”  [Letter  A, 
G.  O.,  Feb.  3,  1882.] 

CEREMONY  OF  GUARD-MOUNTING  J  GUARD  DUTY,  ETC. 

The  following  is  the  proper  method  for  officers  of  the 
guard  to  take  post  at  guard-mounting  :  The  officers  of  the 
guard  take  their  posts,  three  yards  in  front  of  the  centers 
of  their  platoons  (if  but  one  officer  of  the  guard,  three 
yards  in  front  of  the  center  of  the  guard),  as  soon  as  the 
sergeant-major  has  reported,  and  not  wait  until  he  has 
taken  post  on  the  left  of  the  guard. 

The  sword  should  be  drawn  as  soon  as  the  officer  takes 
his  post,  and  not  until  then.  [Circular  No.  2,  U.  S.  In¬ 
fantry  and  Cavalry  School,  1884.] 

In  regard  to  the  execution  of  the  movement  described 
in  the  third  paragraph  of  page  364,  Infantry  (first  paragraph 
on  page  440,  Cavalry)  Tactics,  the  General  of  the  Army 
says:  “The  wording  of  the  Tactics,  paragraph  818,  de¬ 
scribes  an  oblique  movement  in  the  execution  of  the  com¬ 
mand  ‘  Officers  and  non-commissioned  officers  to  the  jront 
and  center ,  march?  at  guard-mounting;  and  to  asce  rtain 
that  the  movement  is  intended  to  be  oblique  it  is  well  to 
consider  this  command  in  connection  with  the  similar 
command  for  dress  parade,  paragraph  810,  in  which  the 
Tactics  clearly  specify  that  at  the  command  1  First  ser¬ 
geants  to  the  front  and  center ,  march ,  the  movement  is 
rectangular.  If  the  same  had  been  contemplated  at 
guard-mounting,  the  text  would  have  been  equally  clear 
and  positive  in  saying  so.”  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  Oct.  11, 
1882.] 


51 


A  non-commissioned  officer,  commanding  the  guard, 
when  conducting  the  same  from  the  place  of  guard¬ 
mounting  to  its  post,  should  march  at  its  left  and  rear 
whenever  there  is  no  file-closer.  [Decision  Lieutenant- 
General,  letter  April  13,  1885.] 

The  commanding  officers  of  the  old  and  the  new 
'  guards  should  face  the  front  and  not  each  other,  in  exe¬ 
cuting  the  “salute”  prescribed  in  the  twelfth  line  from 
the  top  of  page  386  of  the  Artillery  Tactics.  [Decision 
of  Lieutenant-General,  letter  April  17,  1885.] 

First  sergeants  at  guard-mounting. 

The  following  views  of  Inspector-General  D.  B.  Sacket* 
U.  S.  Army,  confirmed  by  Lieutenant-General  Sheridan,, 
have  been  published  by  the  Adjutant-General  of  the- 
Army  :  “I  regard  the  first  sergeants  and  their  supernum¬ 
eraries,  the  post  adjutant  and  the  sergeant-major,  as  a 
portion  of  the  guard  until  the  guard  has  passed  the  new^ 
officer  of  the  day  in  review.  The  review  over,  the  above- 
mentioned  persons  cease  to  belong  to  the  guard,  and 
then  act  as  laid  down  in  ‘Ceremonies  for  Guard-Mount¬ 
ing’  in  the  Tactics.  Before  the  review  the  first  sergeants 
*  are  as  much  a  part  of  the  guard  as  is  the  sergeant  who 
marches  on  guard.  Should  the  sergeant  of  the  guard,  . 
while  at  an  ‘  order  arms,’  be  addressed  by  the  post  adju¬ 
tant,  he  does  not  come  to  a  ‘carry  arms’  to  make  his; 
reply.  I  think  the  same  rule  applies  to  first  sergeants, , 
and  that  First  Sergeant  Ward  was  right  in  remaining,  at; 
an  ‘  order  arms  ’  while  answering  the  inquiry  made  by  the 
post  adjutant.”  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  Feb.,  1885.] 


52 


Regan' s  Manual  of  Guard  Duty. 

This  work  is  not  an  authorized  publication  of  the  War 
Department  in  the  same  sense  as  are  the  prescribed  Regu¬ 
lations  and  Tactics.  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  Sept,  n,  1884.] 

While  a  most  excellent  work  for  general  use,  it  is  not 
authority  in  the  sense  in  which  that  term  is  understood  in 
the  military  service.  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  July  14,  1882.] 

Sentinel  in  charge  of  prisoners. 

A  sentinel,  or  a  member  of  a  guard,  in  charge  of  pris¬ 
oners  either  marching  or  at  work,  should  salute  all  officers 
with  a  sergeant’s  salute.  It  is  proper,  however,  in  the 
discretion  of  the  commanding  officer,  to  direct  sentinels 
in  charge  of  prisoners  not  to  render  any  salute,  when 
such  orders  are  necessary  in  order  that  the  sentinel  may 
not  have  his  attention  diverted  from  the  prisoners  under 
his  charge,  and  that  he  may  be  held  in  a  strict  accounta¬ 
bility  for  their  safe  keeping  in  situations  favorable  for 
escape.  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  Oct.  15,  1884.] 

A  prisoner  under  charge  of  a  sentinel  should  not  be 
required  to  salute  an  officer.  The  sentinel  alone  should 
salute.  [Letter  to  Commanding  General,  Department  of 
the  East,  June  9,  1883.] 

A  prisoner  (enlisted  man)  not  under  the  immediate 
charge  of  a  sentinel  does  not  salute;  he  simply  stands 
attention  to  all  officers. 

Acting  sergeant-major. 

An  acting  sergeant-major  should  be  recognized  as  such 
by  other  non-commissioned  officers,  whether  junior  or 
not.  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  Sept.  25,  1884.] 


Question. — A  sergeant  in  charge  of  a  detail  reporting 
at  guard-mounting  to  an  acting  sergeant-major,  his  junior 
in  rank,  should  he  salute  first? 

Answer. — The  acting  sergeant-major  should  salute  first ; 
the  sergeant  should  return  it  and  then  report.  [Decision 
of  General  Upton.] 

Mode  of  announcing  approach  of  new  guard  or  officer  of 
the  day  by  sentinel  in  front  of  the  guard-house. 

On  this  point  the  Lieutenant-General  commanding  the 
Army  decides  as  follows  : 

No.  i  should  call  out,  “Turn  out  the  guard,  body  of 
troops  (or  armed  party),”  or  “Officer  of  the  day,”  as 
the  case  may  be.  This  practice  conforms  with  para¬ 
graphs  380  and  386  of  the  Regulations. 

Turning  out  the  guard  by  the  sentinel  is  in  itself  a  com¬ 
pliment,  and  should  not  be  omitted.  Besides,  when  the 
guard  is  formed,  it  may  be  the  wish  of  the  officer  of  the 
day  to  pass  in  rear  of  it,  and  not  to  interrupt  the  purpose 
for  which  it  is  paraded.  This  he  can  accomplish  by  sa¬ 
luting,  or  replying,  “  Never  mind  the  guard,”  in  answer 
to  No.  1.  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  May  10,  1884.] 

Mode  of  challenging  by  sentinel  in  front  of  guard-house. 

The  sentinel  on  No.  1  post  having  challenged  any  per¬ 
son  approaching  his  post  at  night  and  received  the  reply, 
should  command,  “Halt,”  and  call  “Corporal  of  the 
guard,  friend,”  or  “friend  with  the  countersign,”  accord¬ 
ing  to  the  answer  of  the  person  challenged.  The  cor¬ 
poral  of  the  guard  should  then  order  the  person  to 
advance,  receiving  the  countersign,  if  the  person  has  it. 


54 


If  the  person  challenged  be  the  commanding  officer,  or 
any  person  entitled  to  inspect  the  guard,  the  corporal, 
after  receiving  the  countersign,  should  say,  “The  coun¬ 
tersign  is  right,”  and  call,  “turn  out  the  guard,”  an¬ 
nouncing  the  title  of  the  officer  challenged.  The  guard 
being  paraded,  the  officer  of  the  guard  will  say,  “Ad¬ 
vance,  commanding  officer,”  (or  “officer  of  the  day”), 
adding  “with  the  countersign”  (or  “  parole ”),  should 
he  deem  it  necessary.  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  April  io,  1884.  j 
The  following  points  in  relation  to  guard  duty,  sub¬ 
mitted  by  Colonel  R.  I.  Dodge,  U.  S.  A.,  were  confirmed 
by  General  Upton : 

“Challenging  may  begin  at  any  specified  hour,  ordi¬ 
narily  in  garrison  it  begins  at  tattoo. 

“Between  the  firing  of  the  evening  gun  and  the  hour 
fixed  for  challenging,  a  sentinel  does  not  salute,  but 
stands  at  a  carry  faced  to  his  proper  front;  nor  does  the 
guard  turn  out  for  any  one. 

“  Daytime,  within  the  meaning  of  paragraph  386  of 
the  Regulations,  is  held  to  be  the  interval  of  time  be¬ 
tween  the  firing  of  the  morning  and  evening  guns. 

‘  ‘  The  officer  of  the  guard  takes  post  in  front  of  his 
guard  in  receiving  grand  rounds.  i 

“After  the  officer  of  the  day  has  been  saluted  by  his 
guard  or  guards,  official  recognition  of  his  presence  there¬ 
after,  while  he  remains  in  the  same  vicinity,  will  be  taken 
by  bringing  the  guard  or  guards  to  attention;  this  rule 
is  general  in  regard  to  saluting  officers  who  remain  in  the 
same  vicinity.” 


55 


Compliments  by  sentinels  after  challenging. 

Standing  at  attention  by  a  sentinel  after  the  hour  for 
challenging  is  sufficient  compliment  to  require  its  recog- 
nition  (by  a  salute)  from  an  officer  in  passing.  [Circular 
No.  2,  U.  S.  Infantry  and  Cavalry  School,  1884.] 

Sentinels  allowed  to  stand  on  post  in  hot  weather. 

il  It  is  customary  in  very  hot  weather  to  permit  senti¬ 
nels  to  stand  at  an  ‘  order  ’  on  their  posts,  but  the  prin¬ 
ciple  is  observed  that  the  sentinel  must  take  the  position 
(standing)  best  suited  to  an  effective  performance  of  his 
duties  in  the  changed  condition.”  [Letter  A.  G.  O., 
Sept.  1,  1883.] 

Miscellaneous . 

“  The  corporal  of  the  guard  should  carry  his  rifle  with 
the  bayonet  fixed.”  [Letter  A.  G.  O.,  Aug.  17,  1883.] 

There  is  no  authority  other  than  “custom  of  service” 
for  the  commander  of  a  body  of  armed  men  on  passing 
a  guard  bringing  the  arms  to  a  carry  before  saluting.  The 
practice,  however,  has  the  sanction  of  long  approved 
custom  and  maybe  considered  law.  [Circular  No.  2,  U. 
S.  Infantry  and  Cavalry  School,  1884.] 

The  following  decisions  were  rendered  Jan.  14,  1885, 
by  Lieutenant-General  Sheridan  in  response  to  inquiries 
by  Col.  Fred  Phisterer,  A.  A.  G.,  State  of  New  York: 

The  salutes  prescribed  in  paragraph  389  of  the  Regu¬ 
lations  are  limited  to  officers  who  cross  a  sentinel’s  post, 
■or  pass  within  saluting  distance  in  front  of  him.  If  an 
officer  pass  in  rear,  and  within  saluting  distance  of  a 


56 


sentinel,  the  latter  will  not  salute,  but  face  outward  and 
stand  to  attention. 

Saluting  distance. 

1.  Saluting  distance  is  the  limit  within  which  individ¬ 
uals  and  the  insignia  of  rank  can  be  readily  recognized. 
It  should  not  be  less  than  30  paces. 

2.  When  the  officer  of  the  guard  and  officer  of  the 
day  approach  the  guard-house  from  different  directions, 
at  the  same  time,  the  officer  of  the  day  should  be  ad¬ 
vanced  first,  and  should  not  be  made  to  wait  for  his  junior. 

3.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  commanding  officer  to  give  the 
special  instructions  which  the  duties  of  the  particular 
guard  concerned  require.  In  the  absence  of  special  in¬ 
structions,  the  corporal  of  a  relief  should  decide  for  him¬ 
self,  according  to  the  urgency  of  the  case,  how  far  he 
should  allow  the  duties  devolving  upon  a  patrol  to  inter¬ 
fere  with  the  relief  of  the  old  sentinels.  If  the  route  of 
the  patrol  is  on  a  continuous  chain  of  sentinels,  he  should 
not  challenge  persons  coming  near  him,  unless  he  has. 
reason  to  believe  that  sentinels  are  neglecting  their  duties. 

4.  A  sentinel  (not  No.  1),  after  having  received  the 
right  countersign,  should  reply,  “Advance  friend”  or 
“friends,”  “patrol”  or  “rounds,”  as  the  case  may  be, 
in  accordance  with  paragraph  377,  Army  Regulations. 

5.  A  detachment  or  company  being  at  a  rest  and  com¬ 
manded  by  a  non-commissioned  officer,  should  be  brought 
to  a  “carry,”  and  the  non-commissioned  officer  should 
salute  all  officers.  If  commanded  by  a  commissioned 
officer,  the  same  compliment  should  be  paid  to  the  com¬ 
manding  officer  and  general  officers  only. 


57 


6.  A  guard  being  in  line  and  not  under  inspection, 
when  commanded  by  a  non-commissioned  officer,  is 
brought  to  attention  and  carry  when  an  officer  not  en¬ 
titled  to  have  the  guard  turned  out  passes,  and  the  non¬ 
commissioned  officer  salutes  all  officers.  If  the  guard  is 
commanded  by  a  commissioned  officer,  attention  should 
be  paid  only  to  officers  entitled  to  have  the  guard  turned 
out  for  them. 

Handling  the  rifle. 

The  attention  of  officers  is  invited  to  the  necessity  of 
instructing  the  soldier,  after  loading  the  rifle,  to  relinquish 
all  pressure  upon  the  trigger  when  in  bringing  the  ham¬ 
mer  from  a  full-cock  to  either  the  half  or  safety-cock,  or 
from  the  half  to  the  safety-cock  positions,  as  soon  as  the 
nose  of  the  sear  has  passed  the  notch  on  the  tumbler  just 
above  the  one  in  which  it  is  desired  to  engage  it.  When 
this  precaution  is  neglected,  it  has  been  found  possible  to 
so  engage  the  sear -nose  on  the  edge  of  the  tumbler-notches 
that  but  a  very  slight  touch  upon  the  trigger,  or  only  a 
jar  of  the  piece,  will  be  necessary  to  free  it  and  permit 
the  hammer  to  fall  upon  the  firing-pin,  giving  a  blow 
which,  while  generally  not  sufficient,  may  yet,  in  some 
cases,  explode  the  cartridge.  This  peculiarity  of  the  lock 
is  independent  of  the  character  of  the  surface  of  the 
sear-nose  and  ends  of  the  tumbler-notches,  and  is  inherent 
in  the  mechanism  of  all  fire-arms  in  which  the  pressure 
on  the  sear  passes  through  or  near  its  center  of  motion. 
The  proper  remedy  can  be  found  only  in  the  careful 
instruction  of  the  soldier.  [Circ.  letter,  Jan.  6,  1885 — - 
4200,  A.  G.  O.,  1884.] 


58 


Guard  mounting  and  stable  guard  of  a  battery. 

Orders  placing  the  stable  guard  of  a  battery  under  the 
orders  of  the  post  officer  of  the  day  conflict  with  para¬ 
graphs  97 6  and  1 166,  Light  Artillery  Tactics,  which,  by  the 
.approval*  of  the  President  and  promulgation  by  the  Sec¬ 
retary  of  War,  have  the  force  of  regulations  and  must  be 
obeyed. 

The  stable  and  park  guard  of  a  battery  must  be  mounted 
by  the  battery  officer  of  the  day,  as  prescribed  in  Light 
Artillery  Tactics,  paragraph  97 6. 

An  order  involving  the  mounting  of  a  battery  stable 
guard  by  the  post  adjutant  is  in  conflict  with  paragraph 
11 66,  Light  Artillery  Tactics,  which  declares  explicitly 
that  the  guard  of  a  light  battery  shall  be  under  the  imme¬ 
diate  orders  of  the  battery  officer  of  the  day,  who  reports 
directly  to  the  battery  commander,  subject,  of  course,  to 
the  higher  authority  of  the  post  commander. 

An  order  giving  a  joint  control  of  the  stable  guard  to 
the  battery  commander  and  the  post  officer  of  the  day 
would  result  in  friction  and  contentions.  Military  subor¬ 
dination  to  more  than  one  immediate  commander  is  im¬ 
practicable,  and  not  warranted  by  military  rules  or  the 
customs  of  the  service.  [Decision  Lieut. -Gen.,  letter 
Oct.  5,  1885—5337,  A.  G.  O.,  1885.] 

Courtesies  between  commanding  officers  of  sea-coast  forts 
and  co?nmanders  of  foreign  ships  of  war. 

Paragraphs  705  and  708  of  Colonel  Tidball’s  manual 
(heavy  artillery)  seem  to  have  been  well  considered  by 
both  the  Navy  and  War  Departments  before  adoption. 


59 


Colonel  Tidball’s  position,  that  the  commanders  of  our 
sea-coast  forts  represent  the  Government,  is,  in  my  judg¬ 
ment,  correct,  and  I  hope  for  that  reason,  and  because  of 
the  simple  common-sense  method  that  flows  from  it,  his 
manual  will  be  maintained.  [Views  Lieut. -Gen.,  con¬ 
curred  in  by  Sec.  War,  letter  Nov.  17,  1885 — 3454, 
A.  G.  O.,  1885-] 

Decisions  on  Points  of  Tactics. 

It  is  almost  impossible  to  devise  a  system  of  tactics  that 
will  be  interpreted  alike  in  all  its  details  by  different  in¬ 
structors,  and  decisions  on  minor  parts  can  well  be  left  to 
the  commander  of  the  regiment,  battalion  or  independent 
company,  without  violation  of  that  “  uniformity  through¬ 
out  the  Army,”  prescribed  by  General  Orders  No.  6, 
Headquarters  of  the  Army,  July  17,  1873,  the  main 
object  being  the  accomplishment  of  an  authorized  man¬ 
euver  without  the  violation  of  any  principle  or  any  express 
direction  of  the  Tactics.  [Decision  of  Lieut. -Gen.,  letter 
June  24,  1885 — 2780,  A.  G.  O.,  1885.] 


JUST  PUBLISHED! 


“HOW  TO  OBTAIN 


A  Collection  of  War  Department  Orders 
and  Other  General  Information  Eela-, 
tive  to  Obtaining  Commissions 
in  the  Eegular  Army. 

BY  AN  OFFICER  OF  THE  U.  S.  ARMY. 


PRICE,  PIETY  CERTS. 


PUBLISHED  I5Y 

THE  ARMY  AND  MVY  PUBLISHING  CO., 

1420  Pa.  Ave.,  Washington,  D.  C. 


4 


IMPORTANT  TO  GUARDSMEN. 


DUTIES 

OF 

GUARDS  AND  SENTINELS. 


COMPILED  AND  ARRANGED 

BY 

L.  W.  V.  KENNON, 

Lieutenant  6th  Inf.  U.  S.  A. 


PBICE  OHSTE  IDO  LLAB. 


PUBLISHED  BY 


WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 


